Date of Award
2-2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Department
Seminary
First Advisor
Phil Newell, DMin
Second Advisor
Ekaterina Lomperis, PhD
Third Advisor
MaryKate Morse, PhD
Abstract
Generations X (“Gen X”), Y (“Millennial”), and Z (“iGen”) are not being formed in the faith by many mainline protestant congregations, such as the Presbyterian Church (USA) in the Pacific Northwest, as evidenced by their absence. Practices of applied intentional intergenerational Christian formation are vital for being formed in and passing on the faith to subsequent generations. This can take place in worship, Christian education, spiritual formation activities and missional service.
Foundational for the author’s approach to the problem is how shifts in culture, theology, learning theories, and spiritual formation intersect with the cyclical pattern of generation theory, including related life stages, cultural Turnings, and intergenerational relationship challenges between some of the repeating generation types. Introducing all of the above in the context of a small rural congregation sets the stage in chapter 1. Chapter 2 provides a summary of generation theory. Undergirded by generation theory insights, chapter 3 addresses the influence and impact of religious education and leadership theories that inform spiritual formation as a whole. Intentional integration of Intergenerational Christian Formation (IGCF) practices is introduced.
In chapter 4, Biblical and theological foundations for IGCF are addressed. In chapter 5, the intersection of generation theory, learning theories, and leadership theories are woven together to undergird development of applied intergenerational Christian formation. Finally, in chapter 6, examples of applied intergenerational Christian formation experiences are offered for experimentation moving forward, with some critical analysis of experiments undertaken in the small church context introduced in the first chapter.
Recommended Citation
Crane, Scott, "Intergenerational Formation as a Tool for Main Line Protestant Revitalization" (2020). Doctor of Ministry. 372.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/372